University of Dubuque adding lacrosse

DUBUQUE (KWWL) -- The University of Dubuque is adding lacrosse as a women's sport in 2012.

The university announced that they will first compete as a club team in 2012 and as an intercollegiate team in the spring of 2013.

Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small solid rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh designed to catch and hold the lacrosse ball. Offensively, the objective of the game is to score by shooting the ball into an opponent's goal, using the lacrosse stick to catch, carry, and pass the ball. Defensively, the objective is to keep the opposing team from scoring and to take the ball away through the use of stick checking and body contact or positioning.

While lacrosse is not an Iowa Conference sport, other schools regionally, like Augustana College in Rock Island, North Central College, and Carthage College have added the sport.

The search for a full-time coach will begin immediately so they can begin recruiting.

Currently there are 201 Division III women's lacrosse teams and 166 Division III men's lacrosse teams competing across the country.

The last sports the University of Dubuque added men's and women's soccer in 2001.

With the addition of lacrosse, the University of Dubuque will have 20 varsity teams starting in 2013.